About interlibrary loan

If we don't have the material you need, we can borrow it from another library. This is free for UA students, faculty, staff, and eligible designated campus colleagues (including affiliates, affiliate partners, associates, and associate partners). Not sure if you can request materials through interlibrary loan? Learn what you can access at the library.

Go to your account to submit and view requests.

What items can I request?

Borrow items that support your UA academic, teaching, and research needs. This includes material we don't own as well as material checked out, for library use only, or not in your preferred format (e.g. you can request a print book if we have the ebook).

Item: Typically available in:
Print books 5-10 days
Articles 2-3 business days 
Book chapters 2-3 business days 
Standards 2-3 business days 
Theses and dissertations 7-10 days 
Physical media items
(films, music, and audio recordings)
7-10 days

Other physical items
(technical reports, microform)

7-10 days 
Class textbooks Not available

Items for non-University needs can be requested from the Pima County Public Library.

How do I access the requested item?

Digital articles and book chapters are sent to your email with a link to a PDF document.

For books and other physical items, go to your interlibrary loan account and choose a pickup location (Main Library, Health Sciences Library-Tucson, or home delivery). Home delivery is only available to UA faculty, staff, and students residing more than 30 miles from the main Tucson campus. We cannot deliver interlibrary loan items outside the United States.

How do I pick up the requested item?

If you are in Tucson, please refer to the email pickup notice you received for further instructions regarding your pickup location. 

If you are not in Tucson, please reply to your email pickup notice so we can discuss options.

How long do I have to pick up my item?

Books and other interlibrary loan materials are available for pickup until the due date stated in your email notice.

How long can items be used?

Articles and book chapters: Available online through your account for 30 days.

Books and other interlibrary loan materials: Check your interlibrary loan account, the cover sheet attached to the item, or your email pickup notice for due dates set by the lending library. Your due date may change if the lending library recalls your item or if your library account becomes inactive and you lose access to library services.

Can I renew an item?

The cover sheet on your item indicates if the item is renewable. Request your renewal no more than 10 days before the item's due date.

  1. View your checked out items.
  2. Select the Transaction Number for the item you want to renew.
  3. Select Renew Request.

We'll notify you by email if the lender approves or denies your renewal request.

Until you receive a reply, you are responsible for returning the item by the due date on the cover sheet. Contact us if the due date is near and you have not received a response.

Where do I return items?

Please return books to the Main Library or Health Sciences Library-Tucson.  If you are not in Tucson, email us at dda@lib.arizona.edu to discuss options.

What if my item is overdue?

If your item is more than 10 days past due, you will be billed a $140 replacement fee. We waive the fee once you return the item undamaged, but a non-refundable $25 billing fee will remain.

Late, lost, or damaged items

Contact us

Contact us by email